Cleerly’s AI-QCT Advanced Plaque Analysis Receives CPT Category I Code

November 8, 2024—Cleerly recently announced that the American Medical Association (AMA) has approved a Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) Category I code for its artificial intelligence–enabled quantitative coronary tomography (AI-QCT) advanced plaque analysis.

The newly assigned CPT code, which will be effective as of January 1, 2026, is a transition from the AMA’s Category III codes approved in 2020, which were intended as a temporary measure while additional data were gathered. The company advised that Category I codes are reserved for established medical procedures and technologies, providing permanent recognition that facilitates broader adoption, coverage, and reimbursement across health care systems.

“We are delighted that the AMA has officially approved our request for a CPT Category I code for Cleerly’s AI-QCT advanced plaque analysis,” commented James K. Min, MD, Founder and CEO of Cleerly, in the company’s press release. “Our team at Cleerly initiated this process with the AMA more than 5 years ago, and we could not be more thankful to the many societies and physicians that have supported us in the process. This approval shows the importance and power of AI and advanced imaging technologies in clinical practice.”

On October 14, 2024, the company announced that Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) released final local coverage determinations for AI coronary plaque analysis. Also, the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography announced that the release of the final local coverage determinations for AI coronary plaque analysis products, including Cleerly’s AI-QCT.

Dr. Min continued, “It’s been a very exciting time here at Cleerly—beyond the Category I CPT Code, we also saw five of seven MACs finalize a coverage determination for Cleerly’s advanced plaque analysis. Both of these decisions will significantly expand the access of our personalized heart disease technology to Medicare beneficiaries and will encourage a paradigm shift in cardiovascular care.”